The Atmore City Council approved two liquor license applications and rejected another Monday, in its first meeting since approving a new “Downtown Business District” on April 21.

At that April 21 meeting, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s ordinance to add the District to its current residential and commercial zones. The District is designed to keep the downtown area “suitable for restaurants and family entertainment,” according to the modified ordinance.

At Monday’s meeting, business owner Jason Ward requested a license to open a package liquor store on Trammell Street. Ward has had two previous license requests denied — one for an incomplete application, and the second because the city was under a moratorium on liquor stores while it researched the possibility of establishing a Downtown Business District.

Because that District is now in place, the moratorium is considered lifted, and Ward was allowed to make his request to the council once again.

Monday, the council unanimously voted 3-0 to turn down Ward’s application. Council member Susan Smith made the motion to deny, and Cornell “Coach” Torrence seconded the motion. Chris Walker voted in favor of the denial, as well. Council members Webb Nall and Chris Harrison were not present at Monday’s meeting.

“My recommendation is we deny [this application],” Mayor Jim Staff said. “Because we have a Downtown District which is not going to allow it.”

For more on this story, see the Wednesday, April 30, edition of The Atmore Advance.